I’m a fixer. Always have been, probably always will be. When there’s a problem, I want to fix it. As with many things, I’m not able to fix the entire problem by myself.
WordPress pulled blogs. Facebook pulled BDSM pages. Amazon pulled self-published erotica. I am one woman, and I can’t fix those things – as much as I would like to.
But I will do what I can. I will blog about the censorship. I’ll tweet about how much I disagree. I’ll bring the information to my audience. Those are the things I can do.
Knock on wood, I was one of the lucky author’s who didn’t have their books pulled by Amazon – yet. I say yet because in my mind, once a company realizes they can, they will anytime they want. Because of what’s being targeted – anything that even appears to dip its toe into incest, bestiality, or underage anything – I’m having to re-think the title of my next book. I was going to name my next book “The Adventures of Sir and Babygirl” but now I’m afraid to use the word “babygirl” which happens to be the main characters name. That’s a big thing to consider changing.
The only thing that helped me sleep the other night once I realized what was happening was to find a way to fix this problem for myself and hopefully others.
When WordPress yanked blogs, I self-hosted. If Amazon is going to yank titles, I’ll look at other alternatives. Smashwords hasn’t been mentioned too much in the erotica craziness of late. So let’s start there.
To bring more attention to Smashwords – and because I hate censorship – I’m offering The Big Game for free on Smashwords from now until probably forever. Yes, you can still get a copy for your Kindle. I’m going to format The Visitor for Smashwords once I can get out of the “special” Amazon program called KDP Select that I enrolled in (/sigh) and upload that title there, as well – and it will also be free.
As writers and readers, we need to show love to the businesses and companies who aren’t censoring the hell out of us. As long as I comply with a company’s stated terms and conditions, and I don’t write about anything illegal, leave me the hell alone.
Get your copy – click here!
And help me spread the word. Maybe Smashwords requires a couple of extra steps, but we need to support those who support us. And even if they don’t “support” us, they leave us the hell alone, and I’m ok with that, too!
Free on Smashwords!
I’m with you. This is a knee-jerk reaction from retailers and they are not dealing with the problem, simply circumventing it for the time being. Children will always be able to watch naughty things on the net unless an adult uses ‘parental controls’ on their computer.
The problem should be fairly simply solved once that happens and then children won’t stumble across porn sites, chatrooms, sex toy shops etc. that they shouldn’t.
Even if the companies in question took every single erotic book off their shelves, children will still have access to far worse material on the internet, unless it is policed effectively…
Great post!
Thanks! And you’re right!
The retailers aren’t going to change until their consumers demand it. I’ve heard (although I can’t confirm) that e-books purchased through Amazon are removed from the reader’s Kindle when they yank it. If that’s true, the real outrage needs to come from their customers who paid for the book and have now had it taken away. I imagine THAT would get retailers’ attentions.
Upon hearing that about books being removed from eReaders I went and checked mine. As I do have several of the “questionable” titles I was curious.
All my books are intact on my eReader and none have been removed.
That is VERY good to know.
I went and read the article you linked to and then some of the articles it linked to. There are some valid points on both sides of the argument.
There will always be censorship. We, as parents, censor what our children can and cannot read and watch. School libraries censor what is appropriate to hold in stock. Stand-alone book stores censor what they put on shelves.
Amazon has the right to censor, just as Blogger does and WordPress. Having the right to free speech does not mean that any vendor is obligated to hold our “speech” in their stock, list it in their inventory, or promote it to their client base.
As a survivor of incest and a victim of sexual violence, do I think anything my perpetrators read or watched contributed to their belief that it was okay to force sex upon me? No, probably not. I suspect that idea came from their own upbringings and experience. I don’t think pulling books off of Amazon will change that. The solution to those problems is not even reachable until we, as a culture, are able to speak freely and openly about sex, which as I see it, is still a long way in the future.
There is an expression, “living well is the best revenge”. I think the best expression for this situation is “selling well is the best revenge”. If a book sells, Amazon will carry it. They are a profit driven entity. Yes, I know they have a huge near-monopoly on the book trade. Waa. Do it anyway. Write a story so damn good, it will sell because it is so damn good. Write about what it’s like to explore your little side, the struggles you’ve gone through to reconcile yourself with it, the fears you have about being accepted or rejected. Write your vulnerability.
Write THAT and watch how it sells.
Much love, woman.
I don’t disagree with a thing you’ve said. If I’ve violated whatever rules the retailers have set in place, fine. I won’t argue.
The problem is that they’ve pulled ONLY self-published erotica. If, as the argument claims, they want to “protect children” from child porn, incest, bestiality, etc, etc then WHY is anything by VC Andrews, Lolita, and a whole host of others still sitting on the shelves? And WHY is it ONLY self-published erotica authors – and in some cases, not just erotica authors?
I will keep writing what I enjoy writing, what I’m good at writing…I just may have to find another avenue. I’m not swearing off Amazon – business sense says that’s where customers are, but I’m not going to neglect other avenues, either.
Thanks for this!
You’re welcome!
I think we need to form an erotic authors coalition, and look into the feasibility of a class action lawsuit for discrimination. Not sure if it can be done, but I feel like it should be done.
And another thought for consideration: When WH Smith opens its site back up, do you think 50 Shades or any of the other traditionally published erotica/erotic romance will be removed?
Hell no.
This is a blatant attack on self-published erotica. Suspiciously timed for the holiday season book rush.
I bet if an investigator dug through emails and other records, at the bottom of this media scare and all this posturing by British lawmakers, there is some major publishers lobbyist funds being flung around.
Its way too convenient to have all this self-published erotica removed from the shelves right before the holiday rush. And the only erotica remaining is that from major publishers.
Any time you want to get to the heart of the matter in these things, follow the trail of money and ask the question: Who benefits from this act?
I agree completely, and I think your analysis of the situation is spot on. I read your post today – it might not fit the legal definition of discrimination, but it’s a damn selective thing they’ve done.
There is yet another solution for self-publishing and I used it for some non-erotic photo books.
Before writing this I checked their website and just entered the word BDSM in the search engine and came up with a whole collection of publications.
I’m sure you know the website, it is ISSUU.COM
Mind you, I didn’t read their terms of services, I have more interesting things to do and there is one small drawback too as I think you have to create the ePub, PDF or MOBI yourself but that should not be a problem.
You could even sell your books through your own website.
By the way I agree with you post and the comments reflect partially my POV.
Kind regards,
Franco
What I find interesting is that after the initial “OMG! Erotic blogs are being yanked”, I never heard of another one disappearing. Sort of like the “OMG! Everyone take down your pictures! You’ll be sued!” that fizzled.
However, I think this deletion of erotic books may be a little more widespread. It will take the distributors being hit in the pocket before they change their minds. Very frustrating.
I agree completely. When they lose money (if they lose money) then they’ll panic in a new way…
The whole thing was started by a shitty paper with a clear bias…and for that, retailers lost their shit…I wonder if anyone sat around a boardroom table today feeling a little foolish (not that they would admit it).
As an lifelong avid reader….of many subjects..including erotica..I heartily despise censorship in all it’s forms. And considering that human nature only wants what it can’t have…”banning” eBooks is a complete waste of time…as desire always WILL find a way. Thanks for the free book …I know I will enjoy the story. 😉
You’re very welcome.
And I agree completely. Turn us into forbidden fruit and you’ve only helped increase our sales. 🙂